Method and apparatus for displaying an award ribbon

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for displaying a ribbon by providing a fascia board that is mounted onto a mounting surface. The ribbon is wrapped around the fascia board so as to position a medallion to hang at the end of the ribbon. Once the ribbon and medallion are properly positioned, then a pin is used to secure the placement of the ribbon relative to the fascia board.

BACKGROUND

There are many events wherein the participants are recognized by some form of medallion. In many cases, the medallion is attached to a ribbon intended to be worn about the neck. As one might imagine, a medallion attached to a ribbon is much more difficult to display then, for example, a trophy. And yet, a medallion is a common form of recognition in many sporting events. For example, marathon runners and tri-athletes are often recognized by medallions having different levels of value. Most people are familiar with the notion of a gold medal, a silver medal and a bronze medal, which are medallions of incrementally greater recognition used in the international Olympic games. Even though the Olympic Games are a prestigious international event, the medallions are still attached to a simple ribbon which is worn about the neck.

In order to display a medallion attached to a ribbon, there must be some form of a hanger, or display board which can be used not only to display the medallion but also the ribbon, which is quite commonly colorful and decorative. FIGS. 1 and 2 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one prior art apparatus for displaying a ribbon and an associated medallion. In this prior art, a planar 10 is attached to support standoffs 20. The standoffs 20 are used to offset the planar 10 from a support surface 60. It should be appreciated that, according to this prior art apparatus, the planar 10 is attached to the support surface 60 using some form of fastener 50, for example a screw. It should further be appreciated that, according to this prior art apparatus, attachment of the planar 10 to the support surface 60 is intended to be a long-term installation. Typically, the screws 50 are used to attach the planar 10, offset by the standoffs 20, to a wall and said attachment is not intended to be severed on a repeated basis.

In this prior art apparatus, a ribbon 40 is wrapped around the planar 10. In addition to the ribbon, a “bib” 43, which is used during the event to identify a participant, is also a souvenir for participant and is often displayed along with the ribbon and medallion. In order to hang the bib 43, a support band 30 is provided. A fastening device 43, for example a safety pin, is typically used to hang the bib from the support band 30. The support band 30 is typically some form of elastic band that can be pulled away 70 from the planar 10 so that the ribbon 40 can be wrapped around the planar 10. It can be immediately appreciated that because the planar 10 is affixed to a mounting surface 60 in a substantially permanent manner it becomes very difficult to pull 70 the restraint 30 away from the planar 10 contemporaneously with the action of wrapping the ribbon 40 around the planar 10. This truly is a “three handed” job.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several alternative embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings and figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one prior art apparatus for displaying a ribbon and associated medallion;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 4A are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one example embodiment of a ribbon display board;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example method for wrapping the ribbon around a fascia;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example embodiment of a standoff and illustrative method for attaching a fascia thereto;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates another example embodiment of a standoff and an illustrative method for attaching a fascia thereto; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for displaying a ribbon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 3, 4 and 4A are pictorial diagrams that illustrate one example embodiment of a ribbon display board. According to this one example embodiment, a ribbon display board comprises a fascia 100 that comprises an exposed, or visible surface 110 and a hidden surface 120. Also included in this example embodiment is a pin receiver 130. In this example embodiment, a standoff bracket 105 is also included in the ribbon display board. Once the standoff bracket 105 is affixed to the mounting surface 60, the fascia 100 is then secured to the mounting bracket 105. It should be appreciated that, according to yet another alternative example embodiment, the ribbon display board includes two such mounting brackets 105 which are disposed at opposite ends of the fascia 100.

According to one illustrative use case, the standoff bracket 105 is affixed to a mounting surface 60. In order to display a ribbon 40, which is typically attached to a medallion 45, the ribbon is wrapped around the fascia 100. Once the ribbon is wrapped around the fascia 100, it is secured into position by means of a pin 135. According to yet another alternative example embodiment, the pin 135 comprises a thumb-tack. Again, once the ribbon 40 is in position, the pin 135 is used to pierce through the fabric of the ribbon 40 and is held in place in the pin receiver 130. Furthermore, in order to hang the bib 43 for display purposes, the bib 43 is optionally placed in line with the pin 135 and is secured in place. It should be appreciated that either the ribbon or the bib or both can be held in place in this manner.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example method for wrapping the ribbon around a fascia. According to one illustrative use case, the ribbon 40 is wrapped around the fascia 100 in a substantially spiral manner. In this illustrative use case, a far end of the ribbon 44, as relative to the end of the ribbon 40 attached to the medallion 45, is disposed against the pin receiver 130. The ribbon 40 is wrapped over the top end toward the front, i.e. the visible surface 110 of the fascia 100. The positioning of the ribbon 40 is then adjusted according to user preference for the display of the medallion 45. For example, the medallion may be placed in front of the exposed surface 110 or the medallion may be situated so as to dangle from the ribbon 40 slightly below the fascia 100. Once the ribbon 40 is adjusted according to a user's preference, the pin 135 pierces 137 one or more layers of the ribbon 40 as the ribbon is wrapped around the fascia 100. The pin 135 is then held in place by penetrating the pin receiver 130. In one alternative embodiment, the pin receiver 130 comprises a pliable material that exhibits retention qualities. It should also be appreciated that the bib 43 is also secured by the pin 135.

The pin receiver 130, according to one alternative example embodiment, comprises a natural cork material typically used as the primary surface of a pin board.

In yet another alternative example embodiment, the pin receiver 130 comprises an engineered pin-board material including but not limited to Krommenie. Krommenie is a term used to describe an engineered material comprising a lubricating substance including at least on of linseed oil, oxidized linseed oil, and rosin (a solid form of natural resin) and a base material including at least one of cork and wood by-products. Such combination of materials results in a pin-board surface that is self-healing in that it is able to substantially reclose pin holes after a pin is removed from the material.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example embodiment of a standoff and illustrative method for attaching a fascia thereto. According to this example embodiment, a standoff 150 comprises a first hollow section 180 that begins at a first end of the standoff 150 and continues through to a first distance 185. A second hollow section 170 continues through 175 to the other end of the standoff and comprises a second cross-sectional area which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first hollow section 180. According to one illustrative use case, a fastener 50, including a body portion and a head portion, is introduced through the second hollow section 170 such that the cross-sectional area of this second section 170 is small enough so as to preclude the head of the faster from entering the second hollow section.

In yet another example alternative embodiment, the first hollow section 180 includes an internal thread 190. A second fastener 200 is used to affix the fascia 100 by engaging with an external thread 160 included on the second fastener 200. It should further be appreciated that, according to yet another alternative example embodiment, that the threads included in the standoff 150 and on the second fastener 200 need not necessarily be spiral threads but may be any type of friction fit profile.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates another example embodiment of a standoff and an illustrative method for attaching a fascia thereto. In this alternative example embodiment, the standoff bracket 105 comprises a standoff 200 and a quick disconnect device 240. In one example alternative embodiment, the quick disconnected device 240 is affixed to the fascia 100. Typically, the quick disconnected device 240 includes a means for friction based retention (e.g. friction retainer 245) that engages with a complementary retention fitting 230 included in the standoff 200. In this example alternative embodiment, the standoff 200 includes a first hollow section 220 of a first cross-sectional area, said first hollow section 220 beginning at one end of the standoff 200 and continuing throughout the standoff 200 through a first distance. A second hollow section 210 of a second cross-sectional area continues through the remainder of the standoff 200. In application, a fastener 50 is used to affix the standoff 200 to a mounting surface 60 in a manner analogous to that describe relative to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for displaying a ribbon. According to one illustrative method, display of a ribbon is accomplished by providing a panel (step 320), which includes steps for providing a first visible surface (step 300) and a second hidden surface (step 310). Accordingly, a ribbon is wrapped around the panel (step 330). Once the ribbon is positioned in accord with a user preference, a pin is received through at least one of the ribbon 45 and a bib 43 into the second surface (step 340). In yet another alternative method, the second surface comprises a pliable material including at least one of cork and Krommenie. In an optional step, the panel is supported (step 350), for example by a wall or item of furniture.

While the present method and apparatus has been described in terms of several alternative and exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the true spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto include all such alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ribbon display board comprising: a fascia having an exposed side and a hidden side; a pin receiver disposed on the hidden side; and a standoff bracket disposed on the hidden side.
 2. The ribbon display board of claim 1 wherein the standoff bracket comprises a member said member comprising a first hollow section of a first cross sectional area through a first distance through the member and a second hollow section of a smaller cross sectional area through the remainder of the distance through the member.
 3. The ribbon display board of claim 2 wherein the member comprises a cylindrical member.
 4. The ribbon display board of claim 1 wherein the standoff bracket comprises a stand-off and a quick disconnect device, said quick disconnect device including a first coupler and a second coupler, wherein the first coupler is attached to the fascia and second coupler is attached to the stand-off and said stand-off configured to be attached to a mounting surface.
 5. The ribbon display board of claim 1 wherein the pin receiver comprises a cork material.
 6. The ribbon display board of claim 1 wherein the pin receiver comprises a self-healing pin-board material.
 7. A method for displaying an award ribbon comprising: Providing a first surface, said first surface being visible, and a second surface, said second surface being hidden, said surfaces comprising two side of a panel; Wrapping an award ribbon around the panel; Receiving a security pin into the second surface; and supporting the panel on a mounting surface.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the security pin into the second surface comprises receiving the pin into a pliable material. 